Hi all! I’m kinda noob about smartwatches >.<, I’ve been looking for almost an hour but still didn’t find a concrete answer. I simply want to listen to music using Bluetooth headphones without needing to take the phone with me. Does for example the Amazfit GTR 3 (round model) have music storage and headphones compatibility?
Gotta love the new Garmin 245 that came out with Spotify and Deezer offline, to allow one to leave the cell phone at home. Battery life is 24 hours, without music, so can use this for daily use and then head out for a run. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music Review: The Best Running Watch You Can Buy
If you are a VERY casual runner and an IPhone user, the apple watch can do the same thing, but its interface is not great for more serious running. Apple Watch Series 4 Review: The Best Smartwatch, Now Even Better
The battery life drain which comes from playing music is a real problem. The Garmin 245 is a very nice, moderately priced GPS if you feel compelled to combine GPS with music playback. Personally, I’d rather carry an iPhone and use good Bluetooth earphones. Just purchased Sennheiser Momentum earbuds and they are working exceptionally well. Maybe if you only do shorter training runs or races the battery drain issue is not a problem for you
I would recommend an Apple Watch if you already have an iPhone. If you don’t have an iPhone, you can’t even use an Apple Watch. But if you do, it works well but it isn’t as hardcore for runners as some of the others. But as an everyday smart watch, the Apple Watch is great. You can leave your iPhone behind and it will still function, even if you don’t have the cellular watch. With the cellular watch, you’ll also be able to make calls.
For hardcore running, I understand that Garmin watches are exceptionally good. Check out the Forerunner, Fenix, and the Vivoactive.
I have been looking for something like you. I can tell you the options I found:
Garmin has some smartwatches with impressive gps and music storage, for example forerunner 255 music, but they were too expensive for my budget.
Huawei watch gt 3 is which I have purchased. I don’t have received yet, but i find it impressive in build materials, gps and music storage. Battery lasts 5-14 days depending on settings (continuous measuring, always on display, gps active, etc). I paid 150€ yesterday. Gt3 pro and gt 4 are also impressive but a little more expensive. Some people are concern about downloading .apk from the huawei Web and giving them permissions, as they are banned from Google services and play store. Revievers and users assure that measurement is one of the best you can find, just below Apple (not sure sleep).
Amazfit, there are several options like Balance, gtr mini, gtr 3, gtr 4 and same with gts (gtr = round, gts = square). All of them seems to have a good gps, better than huawei, but worse HR measurement. I think all of them have music storage but I’m not sure all of them have 4 gbs of storage, you should check. Prices are among 140-250€ and some models let you pay via NFC. Battery life is also impressive, 5 to 14 days depending on settings.
Xiaomi has also xiaomi watch s1 and s3. I’m not sure s1 is still being made, but s3 is a new model. I’m not sure about music storage but battery is also like amazfit and huawei. Price is about 150€. Xiaomi watch 2 or 3 (idk) using WearOS and therefore has a “poor” battery.
If you want to have a long lasting battery you should not buy a WearOS smartwatch. Some smartwatches have developed some options, like Ticwatch, which have two screens, one of them with very low power drain. You should also check new Samsung models, as they are trying to improve power consumption.
I doesn’t exist at your price point.
Closest to your price point is an amazfit GTR -but health metrics (including sleep) isn’t the best and its only your own mp3 for music. Huawei may be an option, and while much better HR sensor than amazfit but doesn’t incorporate it into the health metrics well so its a bit hit and miss and gps isn’t as good as amazfit, some models allow your own music.
Cheapest option that covers all your requirements is a garmin - forerunner 165 music, vivoactive 5, venu 2 sq music (but missing HRV status metric), forerunner 255 music, venu 3, forerunner 265. Price goes up from that opoin - but then so do features. Garmin music offers your own, and or if you a subscription to spotify, amazon or deezer you can use your offline playlists for that service.
There are wear os watch if you are on an android phone - however cost is an issue and 2 days battery lfie isn’t an option if tracking activity and playing offline music. If on iPhone then apple watch but same issues - i.e. 2 days and especially not happing if playing offline music. Wear os - samsung GW5 Pro and on apple - apple watch ultra may be options due to 2-3 day battery life but above price and garmin might offer cheaper options.
This is so helpful, I am very greatful! The Venu 2 SQ music look perfect for me so I’m gonna go and have a look at it, but quite sure that will be my watch of choice. I’ll use the beginners guides to get me started as I will need it. I will share your tips with my running buddies, I know some of them are looking aswell. Thank you!
I think I will have to up my budget since Garmin are double what I hoped to spend, but it seems that storage really does cost some extra $$. I was looking at the Apple watch SE since I have an iphone. Liked how simple and clear everything was (the garmin looks a bit complicated and dated in design?), but the battery level is definately a dealbreaker and not worth the extra spending. If the Garmin isn’t too big on my wrist (33F) I will use it all the time, so well worth the spending.
Thank you so much for your advice, I appreciate the well explained answer!